Deadline: 5-Feb-24
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a cooperative agreement for at least a 12-month project period.
Work under this agreement will include a literature review, formation of a working group of subject matter experts, a white paper containing findings and recommendations, the updating and development of policy guides, education and training tools, and other resource materials.
Activities and products from this cooperative agreement will include development of an annotated bibliography, a literature and research review, the convening and facilitating of virtual and in-person work session(s) composed of subject matter experts, development of a white paper and recommendations based on both the literature review and feedback from the subject matter experts for additional products that may be included in this project, development of policy guides, and creation of education and training resources. Resulting products will be in the public domain and available through the National Institute of Corrections website and Information Center.
The initial year of this project should be focused on the foundational work as described above and the development of a plan for additional work in subsequent years to potentially include training specific to facilities receiving transgender individuals and strategies for managing the population. All training designed under this cooperative agreement should include readiness assessments, pre- and post-test elements to determine training effectiveness, and a feedback loop to agency trainers.
The format and duration of the training will be determined by awardee curriculum developers in collaboration with the NIC program manager and based upon the recommendations of the working group. Trainings may also include specific train-the-trainer curriculums and pilots based on how an agency may use the materials. Any curriculum developed must adhere to the Instructional Theory Into Practice model. This can include videos, games, and other activities and resources.
Goal
The goal of this cooperative agreement is to develop a collection of materials and resources that will assist corrections and community supervision agencies in the safe and humane management of transgender individuals in custody and on supervision.
Objectives
A proposal responsive to this solicitation should, at a minimum identify a plan to address the scope and timeframe of the project and determine the methodology and resources necessary to deliver the work products.
The program’s overall objectives include the following:
- Identifying reference and resource materials, including standards and accreditation requirements, for use by jails, prisons, and community supervision agencies.
- Identifying model agency policies and training programs.
- Obtaining input from corrections and community supervision practitioners, the medical and mental health community, and transgender advocates. This input should focus on, but is not to be limited to, challenges experienced in managing transgender individuals, best practice, and the areas for which guidance would be most helpful. This information may be obtained by conducting virtual focus groups or interviews of subject matter experts (number and duration to be determined).
- Developing tools, such as a recommended glossary and self-assessment policy guides to assist agencies in identifying gaps and opportunities to improve their response to transgender individuals.
- Convening and facilitating virtual and in-person work session(s) composed of eight to ten subject matter experts.
Funding Information
NIC expects to make one award for as much as $130,000.00 for a 12-month project period, beginning on March 22, 2024. Requests for amounts more than a total of $130,000.00, including direct and indirect costs will not be considered.
Deliverables
In addition to the strategy and content of the program design, the successful applicant must complete the following deliverables during the project period. The program narrative should reflect how the applicant will accomplish these activities for year one.
- Deliverables received as a result of this solicitation will be accepted based in part on Plain Writing Act requirements for plain language and Section 508 requirements for accessibility.
- Meet virtually with the NIC Correctional Program Specialist (CPS) Project Lead for an initial kickoff meeting to clarify goals, objectives, and deliverables, including the setting of initial deadlines and role clarification within 30 days of award.
- Participate in virtual monthly meetings with NIC project staff and provide a meeting record.
- Produce a literature review and summary of currently available information, research, and resources; current relevant federal and state statutes; and administrative rules, standards, and accreditation requirements (draft within 120 days).
- Produce a bibliography of relevant work.
- Conduct focus groups, interviews, or meetings with subject matter experts (number to be determined).
- Conduct periodic virtual working group meetings with eight to ten subject matter experts approved by the NIC project manager beginning within 90 days of award. The working group is intended to provide content and information as subject matter experts and may be asked to review materials and provide feedback. A record of each meeting is required.
- Develop a standard glossary for use with this body of work.
- Develop a draft of a model self-assessment guide for agencies to examine their policies, practices, and available training.
- Applications must include in Program Narrative and Budget Narrative the incorporation of products delivered to meet Plain Language and Section 508 Standards.
Eligibility Criteria
- NIC invites applications from nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit organizations), and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education). Recipients, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply. Proof of 501(c) (3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or an authorizing tribal resolution is required.
- NIC welcomes applications that involve two or more entities; however, one eligible entity must be the applicant and the others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant must be the entity with primary responsibility for administering the funding and managing the entire program. Only one (1) application will be accepted from a submitting organization.
- NIC may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.